fluorouracil
Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) is an antimetabolite. It's used by adults to treat actinic keratosis, a condition that involves pre-cancerous spots or growths on the skin. Fluorouracil works by stopping these abnormal skin cells from growing. Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) is applied directly on the affected area(s) of the face and front of the scalp once daily, for up to 4 weeks. The most common side effects of this medication are symptoms of skin irritation, such as redness, dryness, and stinging.
What is Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)?
What is Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) used for?
- Actinic (or solar) keratosis on the face and front of scalp
How Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) works
Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) is an antimetabolite. It works by getting in the way of cells making copies of their genetic material. When applied on pre-cancerous or cancerous skin cells, fluorouracil prevents them from being able to grow.
Drug facts
Side effects of Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Warmth, dryness, burning and other skin reactions (up to 96%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Eye irritation
- Headache
- Common cold
- Sinus infection
The following Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Redness and swelling of normal skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Burning feeling where medicine is applied
increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
oozing
skin rash
soreness or tenderness of skin
Less common or rare
Darkening of skin
scaling
watery eyes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)
Pros
- Some people noted clear skin in as early as one week
- Applied once per day directly on the skin
- Available as a generic
Cons
- Commonly causes uncomfortable skin reactions, such as redness, dryness, and burning
- Hasn't been studied in children
- Must be avoided during pregnancy
Pharmacist tips for Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)
- Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) should be applied on your skin. But try your best to avoid putting medication near sensitive areas, such as your eyes or mouth, and on damaged skin because doing so can cause skin irritation.
- You can apply fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) with your fingertips. Just make sure to wash your hands immediately after applying the medication so you don't accidentally get the medication on another place on your body, or on surfaces that you touch.
- Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) commonly causes skin reactions, including dryness, burning, and peeling. Let your dermatologist know if the symptoms are very bothersome because they might recommend that you stop treatment early. In general, these side effects go away 2 weeks after you stop fluorouracil.
- It's best to protect your skin from sunlight or other forms of ultraviolet (UV) light, such as tanning beds, while you're using fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac). Exposure to UV light can raise your risk of side effects from this medication. It's recommended to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing (e.g., hats, long-sleeved shirts) to minimize exposure to sunlight.
- Wait at least 2 hours after applying fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) to put on moisturizer or sunscreen. But don't apply any other skin products, like make up or topical medications, unless your dermatologist says it's okay to do so.
- Don't cover the area treated with fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) with a dressing or bandages, unless your dermatologist has instructed you to do so.
- Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) shouldn't be used during pregnancy because it might cause serious harm. Make sure to let your dermatologist know if you become pregnant while using fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac). They'll likely consider a different medication for you.
- It's not known if fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) can get into breastmilk. Talk to your dermatologist about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while using fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac). They might recommend you use formula at least until you finish your treatment.
- Store fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) at room temperature in a dry place. Don't freeze it, since this can damage the medication.
Common questions about Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)
Your dermatologist will let you know how long you should use fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac). Typically, treatment can last up to 4 weeks, as long as you're able to tolerate the side effects. Don't use fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) for longer than 4 weeks unless your dermatologist specifically instructed you to do so.
You don't need to wash off fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) after applying because this medication needs to be absorbed into the skin. It's best to apply this medication 10 minutes after you've already washed and dried the affect area.
Skin irritation (e.g., redness, dryness, burning, pain, peeling, and swelling) is common after applying the medication. But these reactions typically go away within 2 weeks of stopping fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac). If they don't, or they get worse over time, contact your dermatologist.
Yes, fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) can expire. There should be an expiration date that's written on the medication box or tube. Don't use fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) past the written expiration date because it might not be safe or work well to treat your skin problem.
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Risks and warnings for Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)
Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn baby
- Risk factors: Females of childbearing age
Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) can cause harm to an unborn baby, such as birth defects and miscarriage, if it's used during pregnancy. Let your dermatologist know if you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac).
Rare toxicity reaction
- Risk factors: Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency
There has been no reported case of toxicity reaction in people who used fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac).
But there has been one reported case of toxicity experienced by a person who used fluorouracil 5% topical cream. Symptoms included stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. This person was found to have inflammation and sores in their month, stomach, and bowels.
This toxicity reaction is more common in people who don't have a enzyme called dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) in the body. Typically, it's more often seen with treatment of injectable fluorouracil. If you have DPD deficiency, you can't use fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac). Talk to your dermatologist about alternative treatments.
Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) dosage
Tube of cream| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30g of 0.5% | 1 tube | $629.71 | $629.71 |
Typical dosage for Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)
- Adults: Apply enough cream to cover the affected area(s) on the skin spot or growth with a thin film once a day. The maximum length of treatment is about a month.
Don't apply the cream near the eyes, nostrils, or mouth.
Interactions between Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Brivudine
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Tegafur
- Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Zoster Vaccine, Live
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acenocoumarol
- Adenovirus Vaccine
- Allopurinol
- Azanidazole
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Benznidazole
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cimetidine
- Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
- Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
- Isoconazole
- Levoleucovorin
- Methotrexate
- Metronidazole
- Nimorazole
- Ornidazole
- Oxypurinol
- Phenprocoumon
- Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
- Secnidazole
- Smallpox Vaccine
- Tamoxifen
- Tinidazole
- Typhoid Vaccine, Live
- Warfarin
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Fosphenytoin
- Leucovorin
- Levamisole
- Phenytoin
- Thiamine
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